Holy Week Travel Demand Surges as Filipinos Drive 50% Year-on-Year Growth in International Trips Abroad

Holy Week is rapidly emerging as one of the Philippines’ biggest travel moments, with Filipinos increasingly using the extended holiday to take longer leisure trips both domestically and abroad. According to global one-stop travel service provider Trip.com, outbound travel demand among Filipino travellers surged by 50% year-on-year for Holy Week 2026 compared to the same period last year, reflecting a strong appetite for international travel, especially to regional destinations.

At the same time, domestic travel continues to anchor the holiday season, underscoring the continued importance of Philippine destinations during the Holy Week break.

Together, these trends position Holy Week as a major travel and economic moment for Filipino travellers – driving demand across airlines, hotels, and tourism experiences.

Top Outbound Destinations for Filipino Travellers

Filipino travellers are continuing to favour destinations in Asia for their Holy Week holidays, drawn by short travel times, diverse cultural attractions, and vibrant shopping and dining scenes. Major cities across the region remain particularly popular for quick getaways, offering a mix of leisure, entertainment, and culinary experiences suited to the extended holiday break.

Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Singapore rank among the most popular outbound destinations, followed by Bangkok and Taipei in the top five list (Table 1). This reflects Filipino travellers’ strong preference for nearby Asian cities, which offer convenient flight access, vibrant cultural experiences, and a variety of leisure and shopping experiences.

Domestic Travel Remains a Strong Backbone

Even as international travel gains momentum, domestic tourism continues to play a central role during Holy Week. Bookings rose by 25% year-on-year, highlighting the sustained demand for local destinations during the holiday period.

The domestic destinations that are most popular among Filipino travellers include Manila, Cebu, Palawan, Malay (Boracay) and Davao del Sur (Table 2).

Top 10 Domestic Destinations
1	Manila City
2	Cebu
3	Palawan
4	Malay (Boracay)
5	Davao del Sur
6	Bohol
7	Iloilo
8	Negros Occidental
9	Leyte
10	Misamis Oriental

Table 2

Many travellers combine leisure trips with visits to their hometowns, making Holy Week one of the most important travel periods for domestic tourism each year.

Filipinos Planning Earlier for the Holiday

Trip.com’s latest booking data also suggest that Filipino travellers are becoming more deliberate when planning their Holy Week trips. On average, travellers are booking around 74 days before departure, indicating a preference for advanced trip planning as travellers look to secure flights, accommodations, and activities well ahead of the peak holiday period. The data also reveals that 3 April (Good Friday) is expected to be the busiest travel date, as many Filipinos begin their journeys at the start of the long holiday break. For some, this means returning to their home provinces for family gatherings and religious observances, while for others, it marks the start of extended leisure trips both within the Philippines and abroad.

Travellers Opting for Longer Getaways

Filipinos are increasingly using the Holy Week break to take extended vacations.

The average trip length for Holy Week travel is approximately 9.57 days, largely in line with 2025’s 10.03 days, and reflecting a preference for multi-day getaways over short weekend trips.

Longer stays allow travellers to explore multiple attractions or combine city visits with leisure experiences.

A More Independent Traveller Is Emerging

Trip.com’s data also highlights evolving traveller demographics during the Holy Week travel period in the Philippines. Women account for the majority of Holy Week travellers, making up about 60% of bookings, compared to 40% for male travellers.

Meanwhile, travellers aged 35–49 represent the largest segment at 38%, followed by those aged 25–34 (21%), suggesting that working professionals are driving travel demand during the holiday period.

One of the most notable behavioural shifts is the rise of independent travel. Nearly 70% of bookings are made by solo travellers, reflecting a growing preference for flexibility, personalised itineraries, and self-directed experiences.

Indeed, Holy Week is emerging as one of the Philippines’ most significant travel periods supported by strong demand across both domestic and international markets. With outbound travel surging and local destinations remaining resilient, 2026 is shaping up to be one of the busiest Holy Week travel seasons yet.

Note: The trends highlighted in this media release are based on Trip.com booking data in the Philippines, comparing Holy Week 2026 (1 to 12 April 2026) with Holy Week 2025 (16 to 27 April 2025).

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